Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

For a few weeks I've been looking into a vertical design similar to the one Bright Agrotech uses but on the cheap. After seeing some media questions hashed on a similar post, http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16728 I decided to post a few pics of a sketched up version of something I think would work in a small square footage scenario.

It's designed with 3" square PVC pipes which I found online here: http://www.usplastic.com/mobile/item.aspx?itemid=23658 The openings for the plants are 1" and there are 1/2" portions of the pipe still connected to keep the rigidity of the structure. Unfortunately, this means you would have to plant the seedlings once the media is in the tower.

The media would be a sheet of matala filter that I found here for 40 bucks a sheet: http://www.matalausa.com/subcat24.html See the other thread posted earlier for how I figured you could cut it to work the best.

The fish tank would be a 31 gallon Rubbermaid and would be pumped to a 1/4" split drip system above the towers. The bottom of the towers would have a screen attached to hold the media in place and allow drainage to the 3/4" plywood trough, lined with a pond liner, which drains back into the tank.

What do you think? I am a newbie, so criticism is welcome.

jlough8788, it will work. the link shows the 3" tubing at $90.00 a length. You can do better on a PVC posts, but the concept will work.

When I pulled the link up, it has one piece priced at $8.79. Although, you have to order in quantities of 10. So for 90 bucks, you'd have enough pipe for 20 towers. I might have misread it, but I've gone back a couple times now and it keeps showing me that price.

Do you have a reference where I could find 1- 3" pipe for sale without having to order 10 at a time?

Ok, I see it now. Sold by foot. I feel like a goober.

So now I'm really wondering if you have a reference where I could find it cheaper. Thanks in advance!

I'm using 4" PVC fence posts between 15-20.00 per 8' section. I'm going to try 3"PVC as well, cheaper still.

Where do you find it? I'm really searching my butt off for it. All I can find is the vinyl fence posts.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_24992-73428-730 ... facetInfo=

Most fence companies carry them also.

I guess it's vinyl, not PVC...it works.

Cool beans. What type of media are you using with your system?

vinyl is pvc (poly vinyl chloride)
keep in mind that the "fence post covers" are sometimes made with recycled PVC and you can't always be sure what it was recycled from is something you want mixed into your food production system.

Also, I have had people insist that they can do it cheaper on their own. Then they contact me wanting the media (they seem to think I should sell it cheaper because they are going to go elsewhere to buy the housings so I'll be loosing even more money) and then later they show up asking to buy the housings cheap because whatever they tried on their own didn't work out so well.

Sometimes you want to check yourself and make sure you are not stepping over the dollars in order to pick up the penny.

Well at 67 bucks for one 5' zip grow tower, I'd rather take a chance with a 15 dollar vinyl fence post and see where it goes. Do you have a product that you sell that is a complete system that could compete with Bright Agrotech? With their system, after media and housings, you're out about 300 bucks for 4 towers. That seems pretty steep to me.

That price would include the media and the hanger?

No, media would be a 24"x39"x1.5" piece of matala for 40 dollars, compared to one piece of media at 20 bucks. You could fill 4 towers with the 40 dollar sheet. So essentially a 100 dollar system contrasted with a 300 dollar (conservative estimate) system. Of course there isn't a guarantee it'll work, but what's fun about it if you're not creative, eh?

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Wait, slowboat, were you referring to Bright Agrotechs system or the diy? I broke down the diy system.

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yes the Agrotechs system, you get 4 x 5ft towers for $257.95

Freight to Oz is the killer for me.